All Good Things ...

Steve Harmisson is the best thing to have happened to cricket in recent times - A genuine fast bowler of the highest quality and superb control over line and length. In my opinion, far superior to the much-hyped Shoaib Akhtar and definitely, Brett Lee. England will be relying on him heavily for the South Africa series and most importantly, the Ashes. But the whole world should be supporting him as he tries to launch what should be the most serious attack against the gerat Australian batting lineup in recent times. Although Harbhajan might have a word to say about that. I can't wait for the fascinating battle that will ensue when Australia take on the Rest of the World next year. However, like all good fast bowlers, he has to really guard against injuries and I seriously hope he is utilized with utmost care by Michael Vaughan. In Harmisson's case the other problem, however, is that Cricket is not his #1 priority in life as he says here, and hence, the question arises whether indeed he can go on to be the next Curtley Ambrose as his run-up, bowling action and accuracy promises.

Talking of good things, New Zealand's affable opener Mark Richardson has retired. He was never a very attractive batsman, and honestly, I sometimes I hated him for the way he irritated our bowlers. But he was a thorough professional, and I wish him all the best in life. The one very good point he makes in this article is how he was burnt out by the intensity of international cricket. In particular, the lack of side matches on tours is really taking its toll on players, something that needs to be changed.

Even as recently, as 8 years ago, a tour of England was a complete summer with all experiences to be enjoyed, with a lot of matches against the counties and it was so interesting to see the pitches change as the summer progressed. Not so any more. Sad.

And talking about more good things there is Irfan Pathan - just as Harmisson has revived the tradition of genuine hostile accurate fast bowling, Pathan has done the same in the swing department after the void left by Wasim Akram's retirement. He swung the ball superbly against Bangladesh yesterday and mark my words, though he does not have the figures to back him as yet, he is destined to dominate World Cricket in the next few years along with Harmisson.